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T O P I C     R E V I E W Mike_P My neighbors and I were discussing the lack of large mature trees in most of the East side sudivisions in Allen. Some are of the opinion that many homeowners prefer to NOT have large trees, because of some experiences (or preconceived notions) of their potential for trouble and maintenance requirements. I decided that perhaps a quick poll of the users of Allen Talk could shed some light on this. Who would rather have large mature trees, and who would prefer saplings or no trees??? PAG Being from the east coast where there are beautiful, massive, mature trees everywhere, I'm all for big trees!! ) VGotway Our house was built in '83 and had 3 large trees that we loved. We lost one last year (due to age), but the other two still look great and my husband enjoys taking care of them. The downfall is the one in front is so large that the grass is dying under it (too much shade). We'll be putting some other ground covering down soon so that won't be a problem for long. The trees were part of the reason we bought an older home versus building or buying a newer one. We wanted trees! denisew Since I am an avid gardener and nature lover, I am for the trees . I think people should consider the benefits that trees provide. They cut our cooling costs, they help clean our air and provide the oxygen we breath, they help prevent erosion, they provide homes for wildlife, they increase our property value, and last but not least - it is proven that a persons blood pressure lowers when he or she looks at a tree. You can take a look at www.arborday.org for more information on the benefits of trees. As far as problems people have with trees, might I suggest selecting a tree that is hardy to the area. Check with our county horticultural agent, Landry Lockett or ask our Urban Forester, Susan Campbell about trees that are the best for our area. Susan can also tell you about the city's tree ordinance which protects certain trees. Trees like mulberry, mimosa, etc. - those that have weak wood are not protected under the ordinance. Also, please don't plant trees under utility lines or too close to your home. Consider the mature size of the tree before planting. And, to close, please remember what Neil Sperry always tells people - NEVER TOP A TREE! [This message has been edited by denisew (edited April 06, 2003).] sellingmarykay I think a number of the homes on the east side are still relatively new (not over 10 years old), and maybe just haven't been around long enough to have mature trees. I know in our division the builder only put 1 tree per yard, and a number of people haven't bothered to plant more. As for whether that's a matter of choice or just a matter of procrastination, I'm not sure. Maybe your post along with the nice weather we've been having will motivate people to get out there and plant! ninjaman I live over in country meadows, the houses in that subdivision are just now turning 10/11 years old. Some of the trees will be quite large in the next 2 to 3 years, you can tell the trees are getting big because the squirrels are starting to move in to the neighborhood. I think there would be a lot more of the larger trees if it weren't for the ice storms (I think there have be 3 in the last 10 years). My vote is for the big trees. Michael Denise, what trees are protected and why? Are they in danger of becoming extinct? If there is a city ordinance to protect trees, is there an ordinance to ban trees like the Cottonwood? I have some neighbors that have Cottonwood trees and every year they coat my yard with that cotton seed stuff. When I mow my lawn, it looks like I'm in the middle of a blizzard. It's really disgusting! There otta be a law Anyway, I like big trees but I have not planted one in my front yard because I remember all the trouble my dad had with the roots clogging up the sewer lines. My mother has trees that were planted too close to the house. I have to trim back the branches (sometimes with a chain saw) once or twice a year. So I plant in the backyard and not too close to the house. I have a Peach tree in the backyard now. I am thinking about planting another fruit tree (in the back yard of course). [This message has been edited by Michael (edited April 07, 2003).] vrs OOps! Michael, guilty as charged. *blush* The house we just sold had a HUGE cottonwood tree in the front yard. AND we had a pool. Folks don't plant cottonwoods, they have been here longer than the rest of us put together. I think our neighbors would have paid to have the darn thing taken out. My husband and younger son (the lawn guys) and my older son (the asthma sufferer) would have gladly chipped in. And a few times even I (the pool guy) thought about it. BUT, you could step up to that tree, stretch your arms out, and not even begin to reach halfway around it. Where else do you find a tree that mature in a subdivision yard? So the tree stayed. And, MOST of the year, the tree was beautiful to look, shady to sit under, and helped fill the neighborhood with squirrels and birdsong. We also had a huge live oak (right over the pool) and a chinese pistachio. There was a bur oak in front also, along with the usual compliment of bradford pears. The bur oak was pretty pathetic when we bought the place but my husband nursed it into a beautiful tree by the time we left. When we bought that place there was also a cypress (female)planted in a place we couldn't keep it. The owners had placed it in a spot (maybe) 8 sq ft surrounded by pool deck, driveway, alley, and foundation. Cypress trees spread by putting up knees and there was no where for it to go that it would no do some expensive damage so, with heavy hearts, we took it out. Same with one bradford pear - a shallow root system tree - planted about 4 ft from the house. DUH. Our original home here had a spectacular red oak in the back yard that my husband grew from a pup, but the subsequent owners had it removed, we can only presume because they found tree + pool = too much work. We also grew two redbuds on that lot. We have already had two red oaks and a redbud planted at the new house. We seem to spend our time in Allen getting trees going for subsequent owners to enjoy Anyway, it takes a long time for trees to mature, as has been pointed out. THe east side as we know it is just getting to the age to start seeing the trees planted in the original subdivisions getting big. They will get there. As people do plant trees, it would be nice if they had information about the habits of particular trees so they could place them in places where it could thrive to maturity. denisew Michael - As far as finding out which trees are protected, this is a question that is best answered by the City of Allen Urban Forester, Susan Campbell. You can e-mail her at [email protected]. Wasergroupcom Although this is not likely to be a popular question in this line of comments, I need to cut a tree down that the landscapers planted too close to the house 6 years ago. I now worry about it screwing up the foundation and my pool plumbing. Anyone know if the tree is cut down, will the roots stop growing? LocalRealtor Do what some of the Structural Engineers in our business suggest to clients, Wasergroup: Dig deep and put in a concrete root barrier. With a little effort you can save a tree and keep your foundation and plumbing intact. Wasergroupcom Ya, thought of that - thanks. Trouble is there isn't enough room between the house, pool plumbing and the tree. Tight area. Thanks anyway. Al C I recently had two 15+ year old Bradford pears removed that were just over a foot from my house. I also had the stumps and roots ground away so hopefully nothing more will grow. I don't see any evidence of that happening yet, but it's still early. Disclaimer: I still have two Pecan trees in the front and two more Bradfords and a large Oak in the back yard, so don't blast me for removing these trees. ;o) jenniferd From what I understand Bradford Pears don't live too long. Anyway, I love mature trees, I think it really adds a lot to a neighborhood. In my neighborhood there are sections with mature trees like crazy and it looks sooo nice. The homes really look established. I wish that we had purchased a lot with mature trees already there . We have three live oaks and it looks like one of them is already dead . civicminded I'm in what would be the oldest east side neighborhood. I had a decent Cottonwood, with a girth larger than you reach around. But it was too close to the house. It was also attacked by some longhorn beetles or some critters. It was dying around the trunk, at ground level. I started taking out the tree myself, to save some green georges. This was progressing, by topping it out first, then going for lower branches. But while at work one night, a storm came through and finished the job. No it missed my house, and the fence. But the neighbor didn't think it should be on her house either!!! [This message has been edited by civicminded (edited May 07, 2003).] denisew While any tree is good for shade, I have to admit that bradford pears are not my favorite tree. They do have pretty flowers in the spring, but they omit what I consider a foul odor. Have you noticed the grackles nesting in your bradford pear trees? If you didn't have these trees, those obnoxious birds wouldn't be hanging around. Just my personal opinion because there are many other trees out there that are just as attractive, but don't attract grackles. purrfect gentleman The absence of large mature trees on the, ahem, east side, is due in part to the fact that all these subdivisions over here (east, that is) are built on farmland. Cotton fields! The solution? Plant trees! civicminded purrfect makes a valid observation. When you remember how these communities (along the rails) started out, it makes sense now. I had not even thought about that denisew Allen is located on what was blackland prairie. Trees naturally grew along creeks which left many open prairie areas where the "buffalo roamed". These open areas made for nice farmland since they didn't have trees to cut down. So, yes - plant trees in your front yards and your backyards! walkon I absolutely love trees but the former owners of my house planted a Bradford pear between my house and the neighbors which has now turned out to be huge. Who knows what foundation or plumbing problems it could cause for me and/or the neighbor plus having to cut it back from being on the neighbor's roof. People need to think longterm before they start planting something that could potentially be a big problem and expense. Also my front yard has huge trees and doesn't get any sun and the grass therefore won't grow. Of course I was a single not very savy homebuyer two years ago and didn't realize the problems I was up against with a yard that is nothing but weeds and non-growing grass. civicminded When asking tree questions, besides the useful tips already given, don't forget the Heard. As a one time, short lived, not legendary trail guide there, I learned that they are a wonderful source of information. So check with the Nurseries, the Extension Agents, Libraries too, but visit the Heard as well And don't forget their annual Native plant sale! shiraz We're in a five-year-old house. Most all our trees are about three years old now; they were selected with the expectation that they would thrive in the N Texas climate: Live oaks Red oaks Burr oak Chinquapin oak Red maples Chinese pistachio Lacebark elms One of the lacebarks has grown like wild. It throws an extremely dense shade beneath. It's enormous and the sight of its leaves ruffling in the breeze is something to behold. denisew walkon - Why don't you look for a native groundcover that grows well in the shade? Look at nurseries that specialize in native plants. I would suggest horseherb since it will grow well in dry shade. It can even be mowed if you think it gets too tall. Another popular shade tolerant groundcover is mondo grass. This only gets about 3 inches so it doesn't need mowing at all. It fills in quickly too once it is established. When you have that much shade and can't get grass to grow, a groundcover is the way to go so you won't be walking on bare ground and it also acts as a living mulch for your trees. Nando You could also put Fescue seed down. I've done that this year and now have bountiful green under my trees which was just dirt. walkon Thanks ya'll for the info on the ground cover. I had a landscaper tell me about the horseherb being the way to go. What about Asian Jasmine? Someone also suggested that. I will try the feskew seeds before the neighborhood bans me.